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Lot #2:

1940-1960s circa Crosley Field Cincinnati Reds Chalk Base Liner

Renamed Crosley Field in 1934, the Cincinnati Reds made the formerly named Redland Field their home until 1970. Although Crosely Field ranked among the smallest parks in baseball, hitters such as Big Klu and Frank Robby benefitted from its dimensions, and the fans loved the friendly confines. Future Big Red Machine members Pete Rose, Johnny Bench, Tony Perez, and Dave Concepcion got that start at Crosley.

In addition to the many home talent that played there, historic visitors such as Bob Gibson, Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, and even Mickey Mantle during the 1961 World Series crossed the base lines as they entered on and off the field. To think, those white chalk lines were carefully laid done using this very machine.

Three steel wheels, bucket canister, and T bar handle are the design components of this tool of history. Caked with possibly decades of chalk residue, this historic artifact created and defined the boundaries of the teams everlasting history. For the advanced collector of baseball history, once proudly displayed, admiring guests will certainly stop and ask, “What is that?” Objects that invoke thought always become important focal points of a finely curated collection.